Emmanuel Amunike, other Nigerian footballer to have played for Barcelona

• TheRadar highlights the careers of two Super Eagles players who have represented FC Barcelona
• We take an extensive look into how these players made notable impacts during their time at Barcelona and beyond from Amunike’s attack play to Gbenga Okunowo’s skills at the heart of Barcelona’s defence
• While their careers had its ups and downs, they are remembered for both their on-field performances and their personal stories

Few clubs hold the same level of prestige and international allure as FC Barcelona. Known for its exceptional legacy, iconic blue and garnet colours, and its status as a magnet for world-class talent, the Catalan club has attracted elite players from around the globe. 

Among the ranks of these footballing giants, two Super Eagles stars, Emmanuel Amunike and Gbenga Okunowo, made history as the only two Nigerians to have donned the famous blue and garnet shirt, proudly representing Nigeria in one of football's biggest clubs.

For both Amunike and Okunowo, the journey to Camp Nou was one of ambition and talent. Amunike, an African Footballer of the Year and Olympic gold medalist, was renowned for his agility and impact on the wings, while Okunowo broke ground as Barcelona’s first Nigerian signing, standing out as a young, promising defender in La Liga. 

Though their paths at Barcelona were unique and filled with different highs and lows, their contributions opened doors for future generations of Nigerian players eyeing European football’s elite clubs.

In this article, we delve into the careers of Amunike and Okunowo, their stories at FC Barcelona, and their remarkable influence on Nigerian football.

Facts about Nigerian footballers who played for FC Barcelona

TheRadar has compiled in detail interesting facts about past Super Eagles players of FC Barcelona:

Gbenga Okunowo

Gbenga Okunowo, a trailblazer in Nigerian football, made history as the first Nigerian to don the iconic blue and garnet of FC Barcelona. 

At just 18, Okunowo’s talent shone bright enough to earn him a move to the legendary Catalan club from Shooting Stars Sports Club, Ibadan, Nigeria. He joined the first team in the 1998-99 season. Competing with established Dutch full-back Michael Reiziger, he made 21 appearances across all competitions and contributed to Barça’s victorious La Liga campaign that year.

Despite his promising start, Okunowo’s time at Barcelona was short-lived. Following that season, he went on loan to Portugal's S.L. Benfica and Spain’s CD Badajoz but struggled to find the same success he’d experienced in La Liga. 

Released by Barcelona in 2002, Okunowo continued his career across Europe, with stints in Greece, Romania, Albania, and Ukraine. However, his impact at these clubs remained limited, as he faced challenges settling into long-term roles.

Okunowo’s journey didn’t end in Europe; he took his career to unexpected places, including trials in England with Northwich Victoria and Spain's amateur leagues, but opportunities remained elusive. A brief breakthrough occurred in 2009 when he joined VB Sports Club in the Maldives, but by October of that year, he found himself playing for Waltham Forest in England's lower leagues.

In 2012, he returned to Nigeria, signing with Sunshine Stars FC for a single season before retiring at 34. Okunowo’s journey was filled with twists, marking him as a pioneering but under-recognized figure in Nigerian football history.

Emmanuel Amunike

Emmanuel Amunike, during his playing career, was revered for his agility, speed, and memorable goals. He was only the second Nigerian footballer to play for Spanish giants FC Barcelona, following in the footsteps of fellow Nigerian defender, Gbenga Okunowo. 

His journey to Camp Nou was a product of an impressive career that began on African soil and took him across European leagues. Before signing with Barcelona, Amunike made his mark with Egypt’s Zamalek, where his exceptional performances caught the attention of top clubs, ultimately leading to a move to Portugal’s Sporting CP in 1994.

Amunike’s time at Sporting was a breakthrough period, especially after he was named African Footballer of the Year in 1994. This recognition was proof of his contributions to Nigerian football, including his role in Nigeria’s triumph at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was important in securing the Super Eagles’ victory in Tunisia. 

That same year, Amunike made headlines again at the FIFA World Cup in the United States, scoring crucial goals against Bulgaria and Italy that helped the Nigerian team advance further than ever before.

In 1996, Barcelona signed the Nigerian star, marking an all-time high in Amunike’s career. However, despite his high-profile transfer to the Camp Nou, he struggled to make an enduring impact at Barcelona, hindered by recurrent knee injuries that restricted him to just 26 appearances. 

Nevertheless, Amunike managed to earn a Copa del Rey medal during his stint with the club. After his time in Spain, he moved on to play for Albacete and eventually ventured to South Korea and Jordan before retiring in 2004.

Following his retirement, Amunike remained connected to football, transitioning into a coaching career. He moved to Cantabria in Spain in 2006, where he began his formal coaching journey and trained youth teams at SD Reocín. 

His coaching career progressed steadily, taking him to roles with local Nigerian clubs such as Julius Berger and Ocean Boys. In 2015, he reached a career highlight by coaching the Nigerian U-17 team to a World Cup victory.

Amunike also expanded his international coaching portfolio, leading the Tanzanian national team to their first Africa Cup of Nations appearance in decades in 2019. His coaching journey continued with stints in Egypt and a return to Nigeria, where he became assistant coach of the Super Eagles in 2022. 

Taye Taiwo, Taribo West and other Super Eagles stars to have played for AC Milan

Previously, TheRadar compiled interesting facts about past and present Super Eagles players of AC Milan in detail. If you’re a fan of Nigerian football or AC Milan, this article is your goldmine! It dives deep into the journeys of four standout Super Eagles players who have donned the iconic red and black of the Rossoneri. 

From Taribo West's unique hairstyle and robust defending to Taye Taiwo's blistering left-foot strikes, all the way to Samuel Chukwueze's electric wing play, there’s so much history between Nigeria and AC Milan.